A new toilet is a small renovation that you'll use every day for years, so it's worth choosing the right type. Here's how the main options compare for a Johannesburg home.
Close-coupled
The familiar type where the cistern sits directly on the pan. Most common, most affordable, easiest to service. A safe default for most bathrooms.
Wall-hung
The cistern is concealed in the wall and the pan appears to float — sleek and modern, and easy to clean under. Costs more and needs a concealed cistern frame, so it's best fitted during a renovation. Repairs are accessed via the flush plate.
Back-to-wall
Hides the pipework against a unit or wall for a tidy look, sitting between close-coupled and wall-hung in cost and complexity.
Don't skip dual-flush
A dual-flush mechanism saves water on every liquid-waste flush — a sensible, money-saving feature on a metered supply. Most modern toilets have it.
Installation matters
A like-for-like close-coupled swap is doable for the handy, but a watertight base seal and correct connection are critical — a poor install leaks at the base and rots the floor. Wall-hung needs a competent plumber. See toilet installation or get advice.